In surfing circles, the popularity of the East Coast Surfing Championships is unparalleled. But when it comes to importance for amateur surfers, the Eastern Surfing Association’s Grand Championships is the highlight of the year, and every year the championship begins on Hatteras Island.
The 42nd Easterns start Monday, September 21, in Buxton near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Hatteras Island. The competition continues on the Buxton beach through Saturday.“This is the ‘it’ event on the entire East Coast,” said Debbie Hodges, ESA director.
More than 600 youth and adult amateurs representing 26 districts in the ESA head to Hatteras Island to compete for the right to advance to the national championships in California. Winners in each of the 24 divisions will move on.
Adult finals in 13 divisions begin at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Each final is 20 minutes. Finals for women’s longboard, open bodyboard and open shortboard begin at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. Remaining finals begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and continue through the All-Star Tag Team event at 12:30 p.m.